Fate's Dark Side Chapter 841

"I was hoping you'd come to the party and keep me company," I teased, to which she giggled.

"With all those girls fawning over you, I'd rather spare myself the envious glares. Some of them actually think I'm your girlfriend," she revealed, and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"And what's wrong with that?" I questioned, and a brief silence ensued.

The atmosphere turned awkward. Tonight, I had planned to ask her out, but doing it over the phone felt insensitive.

"I would have loved for you to be here," I finally confessed, breaking the uncomfortable silence. She let out a sigh.

"You know my father. He's on a mission with the alpha and hasn't returned yet. I couldn't get permission to leave the house, and my mother wouldn't let me go without my father's approval," she explained, grumbling.

"Honestly, I wanted to be there, Li. I wanted to see you," she admitted, and I sighed.

"Now that you've graduated, when are you leaving Grizlo?" she inquired, and I chuckled.

"I'll stay if that's what you want," I assured her, and she laughed.

"Oh, come on. You're destined to be a king someday. Grizlo is too small to contain you," she remarked, tinged with a hint of sadness.

"Are you already missing me?" I teased, and she laughed.

"You wish," she retorted, though I knew it was a lie. She didn't want me to leave.

"Alright, you know what? I'll swing by your place after the party," I decided.

"The rooftop?" she suggested, and I chuckled.

"No need to make a grand entrance through the front door. Beta Mike is intimidating, especially when it comes to his daughter being visited at night. The rooftop will suffice. I'll let you know when I'm around," I suggested, and she laughed, well aware of her father's protectiveness.

"What if I let you into my room?" she playfully teased, and for the first time, it felt like an enticing invitation.

"I hope I can handle it," I teased back, and she giggled.

"See you later, Li," she said in her soothing, seductive voice, and we ended the call, a sweet anticipation filling my heart.

I did not know I was smiling and pacing about the place while talking to Sophia until I hung up. As I turned around, I was taken aback to see Charlotte, Gemma, and Jewels looking at me mischievously. They had overheard everything. Frustration overwhelmed me, knowing my cousins couldn't keep a secret.

"How much did you hear?" I asked Charlotte who was their ringleader.

"Enough, Liam," she replied with a teasing kissing sound, prompting laughter from the others.

"When are you going to ask her out?" Jewels inquired, and I shook my head. They were always teasing me, although they were fun to have around.

"Not in the mood," I muttered, walking past them.

"Well, Grandma will be," Gemma remarked, causing me to cringe. It would be a disaster if our grandmother found out. She would surely invite Sophia, and I didn't want to imagine how she would handle it.

"Please don't tell her," I pleaded, and they laughed.

"You know we've got your back, Your Highness," Charlotte said with a wink, making a zipping motion across her lips. "We won't spill the beans."

I thanked them and went inside.

Since they didn't follow me, I assumed they were done with the party and leaving. I was ready to call it a night too, but I knew my classmates had prepared a surprise for me, and it would be impolite to disappear, considering the effort they had put into it.

Returning to join my cousins on the couch, Maya approached me before I could update them on the situation. I wasn't in the mood for her attention-seeking antics.

"I was hoping you'd want to dance," Maya said, and I couldn't stand her. She had no business being there, being two years younger than us. Unless she was accompanied by someone, she shouldn't have attended. However, I guessed her parents were okay with it, as she was already sixteen.

"What are you doing here, Maya Rivers?" Marvin snapped, clearly irritated. She smiled at him, undeterred.

"I'm here to have fun," she replied, flashing a smile.

Her choice of dress was inappropriate, giving off the impression that she had ulterior motives. She was too young for this, and I couldn't fathom why her mother allowed it.

"No," I curtly responded, causing her smile to fade. But she didn't give up.

She proceeded to ask everyone, and eventually, Miles agreed to save her from further embarrassment. I was relieved because her eyes had begun to well up, and she seemed on the verge of tears.

As time went by, I received a meaningful present from my classmates—a plaque adorned with their signatures and heartfelt messages, pledging their loyalty when my time to lead arrived.

It was a truly exquisite gift. In addition, my cousins were also honoured with plaques, as they were destined to become future lords of the north. The ceremony was a sight to behold, filled with beauty and significance.